In KENDO you are trained to see things with your eyes, react instantly to happenings and make moment judgments with your mind. In a KENDO match you watch your opponent with your eyes, react quickly to his moves and grab chances for attack, as seen through your mind. The mind's eye is opened only by and through hard and long training, as in case of the Zen practice of austerities.

Some of the essential elements in KENDO are introduced here for you to realize the depth of philosophy aimed to uncover the traditional way of Bushi warriors.

It is an important objective in the practice of KENDO never to be off guard mentally in a KENDO match or whatever circumstances one may be placed in.